The Personalized Educational Plan (PEP) is an essential tool to ensure fair and inclusive education for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD). However, the success of a PEP does not depend solely on how it is written, but on the effectiveness of the teaching methodologies employed. The use of digital technologies and gamification is revolutionizing the approach to personalized learning, making it more engaging and motivating.

The PEP: What it is and what’s new
The PEP is a document that defines personalized teaching strategies for students with learning difficulties. According to the most recent guidelines, schools are increasingly encouraged to integrate technological tools and innovative methodologies to support students, particularly through:

• Digital learning to improve accessibility to content

• Compensatory tools such as text-to-speech software, digital concept maps, etc.

• Gamification and game-based learning to foster motivation and active involvement

Digital Technologies for an Effective PEP
The use of digital technologies in the PEP helps to overcome the barriers of traditional learning. Some useful tools include:

• Interactive educational platforms (e.g., Google Classroom, Moodle, Edmodo) to personalize learning paths

• Apps and software for SLD and SEN, such as:

  • Ghotit – advanced spell checker for dyslexia

  • LeggiXme – free text-to-speech tool

  • Assistive software for learning, such as those developed by Erickson

• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to improve understanding of complex concepts

• Artificial Intelligence tools, such as voice assistants and educational chatbots to support learning

Gamification and Game-Based Learning in the PEP
Gamification integrates game elements into teaching, increasing student engagement and involving them in active interactions that make learning more stimulating and effective. Examples include:

• Badges and points to reward the achievement of learning goals

• Leaderboards and cooperative challenges to encourage participation

• Use of educational video games like Minecraft: Education Edition

• Digital educational escape rooms to develop problem-solving and collaboration

Game-based learning, instead, involves the direct use of digital and analog games to develop specific skills and foster experiential learning. Examples include:

• Minecraft: Education Edition – to teach programming, math, and science through virtual world building

• Civilization VI – to explore history and geopolitics, developing strategies and making governmental decisions

• CodeCombat – to learn programming through an interactive RPG based on Python and Java

• GeoGuessr – to improve geographic skills through challenges based on Google Maps

Benefits of Technology and Gamification in the PEP
Integrating technologies and gamification offers numerous benefits:

• Greater motivation: students are more engaged in a playful and interactive environment

• True personalization: digital tools allow content and activities to be tailored to each student’s needs

• Improved accessibility: compensatory tools make materials usable even for students with reading and writing difficulties

• Immediate feedback: digital platforms allow students and teachers to monitor progress in real time

Conclusions
The evolution of the educational and technological landscape requires a collective commitment to embracing new technologies and adopting tools that facilitate access to digital content. These tools not only make learning more accessible and effective for students with SEN and SLD, but also promote a more inclusive, personalized, and innovative teaching approach, improving the overall learning experience and enhancing teaching methodologies for all students.